NFC South Morning Jog: Panthers Busy Shuffling Pre-Camp Roster

Each morning, I like to start the day off with a workout—usually a morning jog. I can clear my head, plan my day, and think about what’s going on around the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers

Steve Smith joined NFL Fantasy Live to go over expectations for the 2012 season.

The Panthers traded a conditional seventh-round pick to Oakland for wide receiver Louis Murphy. They also traded offensive tackle Jeff Otah to the New York Jets for a seventh-round pick. [Charlotte Observer]

According to Associated Press writer Steve Reed, wide receiver David Gettis was placed on the PUP list. Reed thinks this is not a big deal. He just needs some extra time to recover from ACL surgery.

Jimmy Graham is the Times-Picayune's No. 2 player on the New Orleans Saints top 25 countdown.

Players arrive at training camp today for physicals, will undergo strength and conditioning tests on Wednesday and hit the field on Thursday for a non-padded practice. The first padded practice is on Saturday. [NewOrleansSaints.com]

There was no resolution between the NFL and Jonathan Vilma or Will Smith during Monday's closed-door settlement conference. [Times-Picayune]

Rookie safety Mark Barron's contract included an $8.961 million signing bonus with base salaries of $390,000 in 2012, $1.047 million in 2013, $1.705 million in 2014, and $2.362 million in 2014.[Tampa Bay Times]

More so than in any other year, Greg Schiano thinks the rookies will have opportunities to contribute and even battle for starting jobs. [Tampa Bay Times]

NFC South

Pat Kirwan predicted the order of finish for the NFC South in this CBS Sports article. He doesn't think Tampa Bay is going to make huge leaps forward, and thinks Atlanta will be the division winner.

Pete Prisco sees the same order of finish in the NFC South: Atlanta, New Orleans, Carolina and then Tampa Bay. He also thinks the Buccaneers will struggle in 2012 and has Carolina taking a step back too. [CBS Sports]